Vehicle-top



(No Model.)

0. W. SALADEE.

VEHICLE TOP.

N0.'262,128. Patented Aug. 1, 1882.

l re-0671157;

TJ'NTTED STATES EPATENT @rrrcn.

CYRUS W. SALADEE, OF TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT.

VEHICLE-TOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 262,128, dated August1, 1882.

Application filed June 10, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CYRUs WV. SALADEE, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Torrington, in the county of Litchfield and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Topsfor Vehicles,of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved falling top for vehicles constructed, asfully described hereinafter, to secure strength, rigidity, anddurability with light weight.

My invention also relates to certain details of construction.

In-the drawings, Figure l is a perspective front and side view of awagon-seat with the improved top attached. Fig. 2 is a side view of theside braces and intermediate stay, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view ofone of the bolts and knobs.

The canopy of the top consists of a series of short bows, L, the lowerends of which are connected to side pieces, K. A longitudinal brace, M,either a thin strip of wood or metal, is extended across the top of thebows, and is secured thereto to hold them in their relative position toeach other. Each side brace, B, is is formed of one piece of metal,bent, as clearly represented, the ends being perforated to receivebolts, by which to attach them to the side pieces, K, of the canopy. Tothe lower portion of the brace B B is secured by bolts or rivets aneye-piece, F, the socket in which receives the pivotpin. An intermediatestay, A, is secured between the side braces, B B, by bolts or rivets P,and washers 0 are interposed between the stay A and side braces, B B, asa finish, and to permit the complete side brace to be moreneatlyjapanned or painted than if these parts were broughtfiat together,The stay A may, if preferred, terminate at 1?, Fig.2, or have its upperends extended and bolted to the canopy, as shown. The bracket supportingthe knob B, on which to fasten the side curtains of the top, has asquare hole in its upper portion, through which to pass a bolt, E; orboth may bein one piece. These knobs and bolts, Fig. 3, serve thepurpose of securing the top ends of the braces A and B to thecanopy-frame, and as fastenings for the side curtains. The bolts E passup through the ends of the braces and through the side pieces, K, andnuts t, turning on the bolts, firmly hold the parts together.

The top is held up by means of the usual joint-irons, C.

The side braces may be made of either flat or round rods of steel; but Iprefer to use steel finished either by japanning or painting, or with aleather covering.

As in this construction there are no bows extending down to the, seat inthe usual way, there are no front bows in the way of getting in or outof the vehicle, and the canopy, being a rigid frame, is prevented fromfolding together when thrown back, and thus protects the leather frombecoming prematurely defaced or worn out, while the side braces are ofsuch form as to admit of the top being thrown far enough back withoutresorting to the prac tice of folding it together when down.

I am aware that a carriage-top having a rigid skeleton-frame canopysupported on each side upon a metallic standard, the top ends of whichare rigidly secured to sides of the skeleton-frame canopy, and the lowerends hinged or pivoted to the seat or body, is old and well known, thesame being described in Patent No. 23,345, May 29, 1859, and in PatentNo. 151,916, September 8, 187i. 1 therefore do not claim suchconstruction, broadly; but

I elain1- 1. In a carriage-top, the side braces, BB, bent ofone piece ofmetal, and in combination with the intermediate stay, A, and the sidebar, K, of the canopy, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. Theintermediate stay, A, combined with the side brace, B, and securedthereto by the bolts P and intermediate washer, O, as and for thepurpose set forth.

3. The curtain-knob B, carried by a bracket, combined with the bolt Eand its nut, sub stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4.. The combination, with the bent brace B, of the eye-piece F, securedto the bend of the brace and perforated to receive the pivot-pin,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two sub scribing witnesses.

CYRUS SALADEE.

Witnesses G. L. MGNEIL, ISAAC W. BaooKs.

